And then we told you how Meyers retained the coveted title in June by outdistancing the pack again in the eight-event competition. But now get ready for the Rambo of Whitehall Township's latest epic adventure - "Toughest Cop Goes to Australia."

On Oct. 7, Meyers and two fellow Whitehall Township police officers will be heading to Sydney, Australia, to compete in the International Police Olympics. Joining Meyers is Officer Michael Lelko, who is the two-time gold medal police champion in the 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer runs, and David Kramp, who has won back-to-back gold medals in the police golf competition.

All three officers were on hand yesterday at a luncheon with the Whitehall Township Chamber of Commerce, which is helping to sponsor the officers' trip. Because the costs are expected to exceed $5,000, the chamber had a direct mail fund-raising drive in the township in which more than 100 individuals, businesses, and organizations contributed $2,775.

"The chamber was interested because it's an honor for Whitehall Township," said Chamber President Edward Galgon. "And it will help them in their duties serving Whitehall."

Although the officers have proved their supremacy in the state competition, they acknowledge that the international event will be much more difficult, because it will include thousands of winners, not only from around the world, but from otherstates in the United States.

"But either way, you're not going to lose," said Meyers. "You're getting to compete, you're getting to go to Australia and whatever happens, you're in shape."

The officers researched last year's international by studying the winning times and numbers, which they described only as "incredible." But the three have, by no means, counted themselves out.

"We can bat heads with the best of them," Meyers said.

Meyers, 25, is a former Kutztown University football player, who has been training heavily at the Allentown YMCA since the winter. The "Toughest Cop" competition includes a 3-mile run, 100-yard dash, a shot put, a 100-yard swim, a bench press, pull-ups, a rope climb, and the obstacle course.

Lelko, 30, is the former cross-country team captain at Whitehall High School and East Stroudsburg University and has remained in shape over the last eight years by competing in local races.

Lelko told the chamber he has one goal at the games.

"I'm going to try to give Whitehall Township a name in the world," he said.

Kramp, 33, said he's been training on local golf courses every other day or "whenever my wife lets me." Kramp said he practically grew up at a country club in Souderton, where he played for Souderton High School. He later played at Muhlenberg College.

All the officers say the trip to Australia is a dream come true.

"It first started out as a goal just to compete in the state because no one else in the area ever did it," Meyers said.

"But what started out as a dream has turned into a reality," added Kramp. "And we're all real anxious to go."

Also attending yesterday's chamber luncheon was Whitehall Township Police Chief Frederic Conjour, who said the officers will benefit educationally by mingling with people from around the world.

"We're problem-solvers and the more you know about different types of people, the better you are," he said.

"It's recognition for the whole police department and I wish I could send everybody but we can't," Conjour said. "I wanted to go as a coach, but they said no."

The officers will be paying for the remainder of the trip themselves, although the township has granted them the time off to go on the week-long excursion. The officers yesterday thanked the chamber and the township contributors for their help.

"Most of the officers could not go without the help of the chamber," Conjour said.